DELIVERED DELIVERED FORTNIGHTLY FORTNIGHTLY DELIVERED FORTNIGHTLY
Stink generated over board’s toilet decision... p2
Issue 87 –1 August 5, 2022 Issue 1 –Issue 15 March 2019 March 2019 Issue – 115– 15 March 2019
Cafe gives young people path into work... p3
AN INDEPENDENT AN INDEPENDENT VOICEVOICE AN INDEPENDENT VOICE
North Shore artist heads for Venice... p14
Transit-lane cheat-catching cameras delayed New cameras in Forrest Hill for catching transit-lane cheats have still not been installed, nearly two months after they were meant to be in operation. Supply chain issues have been blamed for the delay in implementing a measure Auckland Transport (AT) flagged at a workshop with the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board
in February. AT staff said up to four cameras would be installed on Forrest Hill Rd for transit-lane monitoring, at a cost of $433,000 plus the expense of power installation. A fine of $150 can be issued if a single-occupant vehicle is caught straying into a transit lane. The cameras were to go live in May, but
are still yet to be installed along the road. “We do not have a date or time when they will go live,” an AT spokesperson said. “Delivery has been impacted by global delays in the supply chain caused by many factors including Covid. “This has impacted delivery dates and had a flow-on effect.”
Takapuna lights up
Tree topper... Myra Sharma, aged 6, takes in a bird’s-eye view of the Takapuna Winter Lights festival on a busy Hurstmere Rd last Saturday evening. Story and pictures, page 8-9
NED & OW
New Zealand O
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The Rangitoto Observer Page 2
Briefs
No quick crossing call
Any new transport connections between the North Shore and the rest of Auckland are at least a decade away, the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board has been told. Officals say a decision about whether a new tunnel or bridge will be built – or some other option taken – will not be finalised until the end of next year, with the start of construction some 10 years away. Board member Trish Deans urged staff working on the project to ensure Takapuna had a link to any new transport infrastructure. “My concern is we’ll go to Akoranga and say we won’t have the money to go to Takapuna.”
One in court over raid
No further arrests have been made in relation to the brazen robbery of Michael Hill jewellery store in Takapuna last month. A 20-year-old man has appeared in court charged with receiving stolen property, and is next scheduled to appear on 10 August. “Enquiries remain ongoing,” a police spokesperson said.
Trust chief moves on
Takapuna North Community Trust manager Sarah Thorne is moving on after five years in the job of delivering activities and events from Hauraki to Sunnynook, but she’s not going far. Thorne will still work out of the Mary Thomas Centre, in a new role as community development lead for Ancad, an umbrella group supporting the work of social service organisations across the wider North Shore. Her role at the trust will be filled by a part-timer, delivering the likes of children’s play groups, and inter-generation-dialogue and sustainable-living sessions.
Free advice service
Citizens Advice Bureau services are now being offered at Sunnynook Community Centre on the second and fourth Thursday every month, from 1.30pm to 4pm.
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August 5, 2022
Businesses dismayed at board’s canning of toilet plan
Frustrated Takapuna business people have called on the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board to rescind a decision that will leave a busy central location without public toilets for several years. Children from the Potters Park playground opposite Shore City, bus drivers and passengers and Sunday market-goers are among those who use the toilets next to the park. These are scheduled for demolition in September to allow town square development to proceed. A plan by Auckland Council property arm Eke Panuku to install temporary toilets at the edge of the park near the existing block was stymied at a testy meeting of the divided board last month. Chair Ruth Jackson used her casting vote to deny landowner approval to Eke Panuku after extended debate, much of it challenging staff advice. “We urge you to reconsider your decision at the next board meeting, and reverse the decision made,” the Takapuna Beach Business Association said in a subsequent letter to board members. The association – which represents 1000 businesses and property owners – said not having toilets in the area would negatively affect Takapuna for the next three to five years. New permanent public toilets will be included in two of the square’s future buildings. Other toilets on lane leading from the Hurstmere Rd side of the square, behind shops, remain open. Jackson and her fellow Heart of the Shore members on the board, Jan O’Connor and Trish Deans, maintain Eke Panuku is wasting public money demolishing toilets refurbished four or five years ago. They want the concrete block kept and worked around, although Eke Panuku explained its development contract with contractors required the toilets removal. Putting temporary facilities somewhere other than Potter’s Park was not recommended, its report said. They would have to be moved during the square’s staged development. The park site allowed easy connection to infrastructure and would be most convenient for current users, the report said. The design chosen (similar to one at Lake Town Green in Hauraki) could be relocated when it was no longer needed.
Stymied plan... Three local-board members objected to a temporary block (similar to the illustration below) being sited on Potters Park
Members Aidan Bennett, Toni van Tonder and George Wood favoured the proposal. Bennett said it “beggared belief” that the matter was being debated. It had been long known the toilets would need to be demolished. The opposing members had a history of objecting to things to do with Takapuna development, he said. Wood said members were “splitting hairs” about the temporary toilet. “Let’s think of the future of Takapuna.” Jackson said putting unisex toilets on the park would be in breach of the 1929 deed of gift of the land for the playground from Frederick Seymour Potter. This ruled out building anything on it other than a ladies restroom. Eke Panuku said it has taken legal advice that their provision was not incompatible with the reserve zoning. Deans asked if any descendants of Potter or the trust that administers his civic donations had been contacted for their views. Told that they had not been located, she pointed out she had managed to do this easily and presented a response from a great-niece who lived in Devonport and said temporary toilets on a children’s playground were not suitable. Wood said the opposing members were acting as “bush lawyers”. Jackson said concerns about the deed had been flagged to Eke Panuku’s priority location director north, Kate Cumberpatch, several months ago. O’Connor claimed the members were not against toilets, but wanted more information. Eke Panuku should have talked to the board earlier, said Deans.
August 5, 2022
The Rangitoto Observer Page 3
Cafe offers upskilling and a path to employment
Counter measures... Sarah Dann-Hoare of Project Employ and trainee Billy Lupton Former Takapuna Grammar School student It usually presents as people not meeting Now, schools can include Flourish in their Billy Lupton is enjoying learning new skills developmental milestones at the same rate pathway plans for their students. at Takapuna’s Flourish Cafe. as others their age. Other conditions such At the Como St cafe, the trainees started Billy, who is now almost 23, is one of five as dyslexia, autism or high anxiety can also learning how the business works, before trainees at the cafe learning skills they’ll be catered for by the Flourish cafe training ‘fake customers’ were introduced. need for the workplace. programme. This was set up by Project Now it’s open to the public, from 7am to “When I was at high school, since I have Employ, a group whose founders include 3pm, Monday to Friday. global [development] delay, it’s kind of hard Sarah Dann-Hoare.. The trainees started working two hours for me to learn money skills and time-man“What pushed me to do it was spending a day, four days a week, and are now up to agement and that sort of stuff,” he says. time with the students that I used to work four hours a day. After about six months, “I struggle with counting money. But at with,” says Dann-Hoare, who has a back- they can move on to an employment-support the moment I’m actually doing really well ground in special education. provider to look for work. with counting money.” “You would have those meetings with the “We’re seeing changes already. It’s only Billy wants to find work in the music families... You could see the parents were been a few weeks,” Dann-Hoare says. industry. “I’m actually learning how to play just deflated because they knew there was One trainee is overcoming her high social guitar,” he says. In his spare time, he’s a either nothing out there, or unless they had anxiety. “She’s now coming out delivering gamer and a movie-lover. a business themselves, who was going to the coffees whereas before she couldn’t While he learns about delivering coffee give their child a chance?” even come out from the kitchen – it was and using the till, he’s also promoting the Responses such as “Oh we can’t possi- too full-on. cafe through his social-media community. bly have them do work experience with us “They’re just stepping up, and I think Global development delay is one of many because of health and safety reasons” were they’re surprising themselves. It’s so amazconditions which can prove barriers for common. “Which is ridiculous, because we ing to watch.” young people finding work. can all trip over.” An official launch is planned this month.
Pump upgrade expected to reduce wastewater spills
A drainage network which dumped diluted sewage into Wairau Creek is getting an upgrade, which Watercare says should reduce overflows. Heavy rain on 12 July caused a wastewater overflow from the Alma Rd Pump Station to run into the creek, which empties into the sea at the western end of Milford Beach. After the overflow, the Wairau outlet was ‘black flagged’, meaning a very high risk of illness from swimming, on July 12, 13 and 14. The outlet remained a high-risk spot earlier this week. Overflows are caused when stormwater gets into the wastewater. This can happen via seepage through small cracks in the pipes, through manholes when the street is flooded, or from household downpipes that are incorrectly connected to the wastewater network. The latter is a major problem, Watercare says, because the rain off one roof is the same volume as the wastewater of 40 households.
Any wastewater overflow is heavily diluted by stormwater. In an email to Devonport-Takapuna Local Board chair Ruth Jackson, Watercare said its science team was confident that nothing lingers in the stream beyond 48 hours (and likely a much shorter time frame). “From an ecological perspective, the added effects of overflows in these kinds of conditions [heavy rain] are barely discernible from all the run-off coming in.” But the pumps at the station are on their last legs. A current project to replace the rising main (pressure pipe) along Alma Rd is expected to take until September. When it is completed, work will start on upgrading the pump station. “The existing pumps are nearing the end of their operational life,” a Watercare spokesperson said. “The upgrade will replace these old pumps with three, larger-capacity pumps.” The upgrade is scheduled to be finished in early 2023.
The Rangitoto Observer Page 4
August 5, 2022
Traffic slowdown delivers more parking Takapuna will gain parking spaces from changes being made in the town centre as part of the Safe Speeds programme. Auckland Transport (AT) says 24 new spaces will be added and 2.5 lost, giving a net gain of 21.5 spaces. The Observer understands options considered during a working-party process would have cut parking, but the removal of yellow lines on streets including Earnoch Ave, The Terrace and Blomfield Spa Rd will instead allow for more spaces. Parks will be lost in front of the car dealership on Lake Rd near a pedestrian crossing, but opposite, near the Blomfield Spa corner, spaces will be restored. The Safe Speeds programme is designed to slow traffic on busy roads and to improve pedestrian and cycle safety. The measures were designed after a year of consultation with a working group that included business, community and cycling representatives and Devonport-Takapuna Local Board members Aidan Bennett and George Wood. Takapuna Primary School was also involved. It will benefit from a new raised crossing and built-out kerbs leading to its Auburn St entrance. A 30km/h zone has already been notified for central streets as stage one of the programme, with draft designs for stage two traffic-calming measures – including raised pedestrian crossings, speed bumps and built-
out corner kerbs – presented to the local board for its feedback last week. Members had plenty of questions about the designs. Trish Deans wanted to know why an option for lights was not being put to the public for the tricky Killarney St junction with Hurstmere Rd, especially given the high-rise intensification zoning proposed for the area. Wood and AT transportation engineer Betty Diao explained that installing lights would have led to the loss of up to 17 parking spaces, and required the bus-stop by Glengarrys to be moved. Diao said future cycle-lane connections also needed to be considered, and that traffic-slowing measures should improve safety in the area. A pedestrian crossing was to be installed on Killarney St, lanes remarked and there would be a speed-bump on Hurstmere Rd, just north of the junction, and go-slow road markings on the northerly approach. Board chair Ruth Jackson and Bennett suggested the increasing needs of pedestrians might be more simply served by turning the raised table into a crossing further north on Hurstmere Rd, allowing people to cross safely to the beach side. AT could look at this, Diao indicated, along with another board suggestion that an informal crossing on The Promenade by Alison Ave instead be moved slightly seaward and turned into a full crossing to better
serve the many people that passed between the Takapuna Beach Café and the beach. Diao said noise in the residential area from utes and trailers passing over a raised crossing was one reason that visual indications such as painted red markings and built-out kerbs had been proposed instead. Other main proposals are for: • A new raised crossing to be installed across Auburn Rd, from near Como St towards the Auburn Reserve, to service apartments and reserve users who are expected to increase when the Patuone walkway upgrade through the mangroves is completed. • The existing crossing from outside Shore City across Anzac St to be raised and road markings improved to slow approaching traffic. Nearby roundabout signage and lane markings will also be redrawn. Diao said a raised crossing was not considered further down Anzac St across to the Monterey cinema, given this section of road had roundabouts at either end to slow traffic. Lower speeds are due to take effect in early 2023. Public feedback on the other ideas will be sought in September, after which AT will finalise its designs, with construction planned for mid-2023. Meanwhile, council decisions have been put back on Auckland’s contentious draft parking strategy which would have seen parks go on main roads to ease congestion.
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The Rangitoto Observer Page 5
August 5, 2022
Shore teen has capital time as Youth MP Three days in Parliament have given North Shore’s ‘Youth MP’ a taste for the corridors of power. Westlake Girls High School head girl Ivy Mitchell, 17, joined 119 other youth MPs from around the country in a mock sitting in the House recently. The young representatives took part in versions of question time, general debate, legislative debate and a select committee. Ivy was impressed with her young counterparts from around the country. “What they want to see for the future – it was very empowering,” she said. “I left thinking of how I can get back down to Parliament.” While she’s not set on a career as a politician, she wants to be in- North Shore ‘Youth MP’ Ivy Mitchell speaking in volved in shaping New Zealand’s future in some way, and “see some Parliament (top left) and with Governor-General of the change all the youth were calling for come to action”. Dame Cindy Kiro One of the topics covered was mental-health support in the public system. “I did question time, so I asked the Minister of Education about Ivy says she would recommend the experience to other young mental-health support in schools.” people, and thanked North Shore MP Simon Watts for giving her the Several of the youth MPs gave moving speeches about their ex- opportunity. periences, she says, and mental health was the most pressing issue. The Clerk of the House, David Wilson, said the triennial Youth In the mock select committee, the discussion centred on sex educa- Parliament made the halls of democracy more accessible. “Parliament tion. “I think we all felt it was an important issue and I agreed it should operates with unique rules that you won’t see anywhere else in New be compulsory for all schools in New Zealand. Zealand, and that can make it difficult to understand.” “There should be a set of guidelines for schools to follow, so differAs well as being head girl, Ivy is part of her school’s Amnesty ent schools aren’t teaching different ideas on some key information.” International group, Model United Nations Assembly, UNICEF The committee also considered how to cater for those who were not Committee, debating teams, Service Committee, Student Council and part of the education system. Language committees.
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The Rangitoto Observer Page 6
August 5, 2022
Decision looms on how to spend building-sale windfall The sale of the former Takapuna library building is drawing closer, two years after Auckland Council controversially decided on its disposal along with the former Devonport borough council chambers, and other publicly owned pockets of land in Takapuna, Forrest Hill and Sunnynook. A decision on how the proceeds from the sale of the old library at 2 The Strand will be spent is due in September, council staff say. The building is then expected to be put on sale by the council’s property arm, Eke Panuku, in late 2022 or early 2023. Proceeds from other sales of assets declared unwanted as part of the council’s Covid-impacted 2020 emergency budget process go into a city-wide pot. But the library has endowment status, meaning any money must be spent locally. In August 2021, the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board called for the money to go towards library and community-service provision as its first choice on a list of priorities. Securing public access across a private property on the Takapuna-Milford Coastal Track was given as a second option, followed by a Francis St-to-Esmonde Rd pathway in Hauraki and, lastly, a Wairau Estuary boardwalk. With wider decisions on upgrades to Takapuna’s civic buildings, including the current library, still to be made, the board’s priority list may not hold sway. Members are split over keeping the existing library or seeing Eke Panuku sell it or some of the other neighbouring civic buildings in favour of developing a new joint community-facilities building in the new Takapuna town square. “Eke Panuku has worked with council’s finance and legal teams to assess the suitability of potential projects which the sales proceeds may be allocated to,” board members were told in a memo from council staff.
The council’s finance team was expected to make a final decision in September, with a sales strategy that would then be developed to outline design and other outcomes for the building. The move to sell all five properties sparked a legal challenge about process that was later withdrawn. Extra consultation was then undertaken in 2021 about the former library and old Devonport council chambers, due to engagement requirements because of their heritage status. Regarding the other properties lined up for sale, the council says: • 4 Blomfield Spa, Takapuna: A go-to-market strategy is being finalised for this small green space area behind Lake Rd shops. The council’s Finance and Performance Committee signed off on its sale in March. • 2 Forrest Hill Rd: Public consultation regarding the disposal of this site will be reported to the Finance and Performance Committee in September. The section was originally acquired for corner roadworks but deemed surplus for future needs. • 24 Linwood Rd: This entranceway to Linwood Reserve was subject to the start of a reserve revocation process last year. Public submissions were heard by independent commissioners in February this year. Their recommendations and the views of the local board (that selling the land will realise little and remove a community access way) will be considered by the Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee this month. If the sale is confirmed, the council will request the Minister of Conservation to revoke the reserve status. A Unitary Plan change would also be needed, which Eke Panuku and the council’s plan and places team have been looking at, subject to the recommendation of independent commissioners at a separate hearing. A report is expected in the next few months.
MP for North Shore
‘Wayfinding’ signs are popping up around Milford to show the way to parks, beaches and other places of local interest, with indicated times for walkers. AT has previously rolled out signs in Sunnynook, Forrest Hill, Castor Bay and Crown Hill.
Council contenders
George Wood and Danielle Grant say crime and costs are among key issues in their campaign for North Shore ward seats on Auckland Council. Launching their campaign under the centre-right Communities & Residents banner last month, the two experienced local politicians said a strategic housing plan, respect for character areas and better public transport were also needed. Wood who is on the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board, and Grant, who is deputy chair of the Kaipatiki Local Board, are running against sitting councillors Richard Hills and Chris Darby.
Changes afoot at firms
Two well-known businesses near the bottom of Forrest Hill Rd are in for changes. The former King’s Plant Barn shop on the corner with Wairau Rd is to become a distribution centre for its other garden centres and website. Porana Rd is its closest retail centre. Atlas Concrete, just south on Wairau Rd, is planning to build a new head office, warehouse and trade-retail building on its site.
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August 5, 2022
The Rangitoto Observer Page 7
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The Rangitoto Observer Page 8
August 5, 2022
Bring your own... Evie Seo, 5, and sister Ellie, 3, and Tenley Sutcliffe, 10, and sister Harper, 6, were among children who added their own illumination to the event.
Framed... Emma McLeod, 5, and siblings, Mats, 3, and Koda, 7, from Devonport, in a lit archway.
Lights, action... Takapuna chldren Frank Sweas (centre), aged 1, and Akio Okumoto, almost 3, loved the lights in the kids’ disco room set up at Shore City as an offshoot of the festival. Siblings (far left) Luca Couto, 5 and sister Luna, 9, stopped by for a boogie.
The Rangitoto Observer Page 9
August 5, 2022
Bright lights cut through wintry nights
Winter evenings took on their own special glow thanks to the Takapuna Winter Lights festival, which proved a drawcard for visitors and locals alike.
Crowds flocked to the Takapuna Winter Lights festival last weekend. Forecast rain held off for the event’s second year. This year’s edition, which ran along Hurstmere Rd as well as on Hurstmere Green, was more than twice the size of the 2021 event. Dancing fairies, free e-bike tuk-tuk tours of the lights, and multiple installations were included. One of the most popular was a rectangular cube tunnel with different-coloured lights cycling through the bars. Families
joined long queues to have their turn and take pictures. Many of the retailers stayed open late, and eateries were busy. Across at Shore City Mall, a kids’ disco was also held each evening. The Thursday opening night was relatively quiet, but attendance picked up over the weekend. On Saturday, thousands turned out, making it difficult for the tuk-tuks to negotiate a path through the crowds. Presented by the Takapuna Beach Business Association, the lights are set to become an annual event.
Talking tree... images were projected on a tree on Hurstmere Green with accompanying sound telling a story about their ancestors. A lit-up fairy dancer was also part of the entertainment.
The Rangitoto Observer Page 10
August 5, 2022
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Casual Bartender Casual Bartender with experience for The Officers Mess in Devonport. Weekend work...mainly weddings. Popular and friendly Venue. Contact Fiona on fiona@theofficersmess.co.nz 021 021 888 55
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Bradburn Project Management in Takapuna is looking for an Administration Assistant who can provide support to the Management team through the provision of secretarial, administrative and related office assistance. 4-5 hours a day - flexible hours between 9am and 3pm. This job will likely suit someone who also needs to look after kids between school hours. To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to peter@shorejobs.co.nz
Hours of work will be arranged to suit the successful applicant. This position may appeal to someone with school commitments. Please visit our website to get an idea of what we do and get in touch if you are interested. NICK SLOCOMBE nick@gallerypacific.co.nz Shop 3, Queens Arcade 34 Queen Street Auckland 1010 +64 (9) 308 9231 gallerypacific.co.nz
Weighbridge and Customer Services Operator We’re currently recruiting for Weighbridge and Customer Services Operator to be the first person our customers meet, manage the weighbridge operations, with cashing up and banking responsibilities at the end of each working day. This is a fantastic opportunity to join our ‘Community Recycling Team’ and play a part in our future success. If you’re passionate about the environment, our community, retail and are good with maths and competent handling cash then Devonport Community Recycling Centre could be just what you’re looking for! Full Time role. 4 or 5 days per week rostered Monday thru to Sunday. Some weekend work is required.
About the role ● Our Customer Services Operators will be meeting and greeting the customers and helping to create a friendly, welcoming atmosphere always. ● You will be aware of environmental issues and waste minimisation and our objectives as a not for profit charity. ● Responsibility for the till, cash handling, banking and pricing re use items and reporting back to the site Leader. ● Deliver and maintain standards pricing and presentation of reuse shop by selecting, preparing and displaying stock availability and management discretion.
About our benefits We offer a living wage of $23.50, kiwi saver, and a staff bonus scheme to all our employees as we all contribute to the success of the organisation. As a social enterprise our staff are very important to us, and we strive to be a great employer.
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Letters
August 5, 2022
Bodyline by Guy Body
Board members blocked toilet plan I’ve been following our Devonport-Takapuna Local Board meetings very closely for the last six months and the outcome of its 19 July meeting I feel needs to be known by more people. In the meeting, three of the board members – Ruth Jackson, Jan O’Connor and Trish Deans – voted against approving temporary quality toilets being placed on the edge of Potters Park to replace the public toilets being demolished this September. The measure was rejected on the casting
Write to the Observer
vote of the board chair, Ruth Jackson. No more toilets for Sunday market users, bus drivers, or families with children using the playground. The consequences of this decision were made very clear to these members, and yet they still opposed these toilets. The existing toilets need to be pulled down to enable the continued construction in the square. This will happen in September, as the members knew. Laura Foote
We welcome letters. Please limit to 300 words on local topics. Noms de plume or unnamed letters will not be printed. Email news@rangitoto-observer.co.nz or write to Letters, PO Box 32 275, Devonport.
The Rangitoto Observer Page 11
Community ignored on Sacred Grove As we approach local body elections, I have been reflecting on how well democracy serves our local community. Like many, I am frustrated that as a community our single and collective voice is dismissed. Unless local-board decision-making is upheld by Auckland Council we are at the mercy of officials and others in council who have no connection with the community. That is what has happened with the future of the Sacred Grove. You will recall last November the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board passed several resolutions on this. In the last eight months next to nothing has happened and the interests of the community and beach users have been ignored. A request to engage with mana whenua has equally been ignored. We are advised much of the work proposed is on hold until the local board has a suitable relationship agreement with mana whenua. Requests from the local board for council to facilitate a meeting have been ignored. Council has nevertheless continued to engage with mana whenua. We are told mana whenua believe the decision by the local board to keep the boardwalk open is a breach of obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi. If this is the case, it is most disappointing. The community has no gripe with mana whenua and want to engage to find a solution that works for all parties. A win-lose outcome is the wrong way to approach problem-solving. Pitting one side against another is equally wrong. There has been so much misguided rhetoric asserting that the community want to see the trees removed. Nothing could be further from the truth. Is council deliberately delaying progress so it can revisit the resolution when a new board is elected? It would be interesting to hear the views of the those standing for our local board and for Auckland Council. Allan Morris
Trades & Services
The Rangitoto Observer Page 12
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The Rangitoto Observer Page 13
Sport
August 5, 2022
Former Carmel College student bags another big swim Former Carmel College student Caitlin O’Reilly has swum the Tsugaru Strait between Honshu and Hokkaido in northern Japan. Endurance swimmer O’Reilly was in the water for 11 hours and 37 minutes, swimming more than 41 kilometres when she conquered the strait on 5 July. The point-to-point distance is about 19.5km, but due to tides and currents swimmers have to take a longer route. In a blog post, O’Reilly said she had to complete the swim during a four-day window, which might have proven tricky due to local weather conditions: even in summer, northern Honshu gets wind and fog. But after a false start on 2 July, she was able to get into the water three days later. “The weather looked perfect, according to our Japanese captain, and the start time was 4.00 am, just as the sun rises.” The Japanese swim organisation which
monitors attempts on the strait tows a ribbon from a fishing boat as a guide. “I found it worked really well as it became a distraction from what else my mind thinks is underneath me,” O’Reilly said. “The conditions were a bit rough to start out with, but as the day carried on it got better and better.” O’Reilly, who finished at Carmel last year, has a long list of swimming achievements, including a double-crossing of Lake Taupo, swimming Cook Strait at age 12, and Foveaux Strait last year. When she swam Foveaux at 16, she became the youngest swimmer to complete the New Zealand ‘triple crown’ which includes the two straits and a single crossing of Lake Taupo. Her next plan is to swim the Catalina Channel in California. This is part of the Oceans Seven marathon of open-water swims which also Achiever... Caitlin O’Reilly in her includes Tsugaru Strait. Carmel days
Westlake runners go well at cross-country nationals
Harbour squad named
Two Westlake Boys High School runners enjoyed success at last weekend’s New Zealand Cross Country Championships in Taupo. Running for Auckland and their clubs, Year 11 student Alfie Steedman (North Harbour Bays) won the 4km under-16 event in 12m 34s, while Year 12 student Cameron Maunder (Takapuna Athletics Club) was second in the 8km under-20 event in 26m 41s.
Eight Takapuna players have been selected in the 2022 North Harbour rugby squad. They are; Bryn Gatland, Tamarau McGahan, Fine Inisi, Jack Heighton, Lotu Inisi, Kade Banks, Karl Tu’inukuafe and Moses Leo. Takapuna premiers defeated North Shore in the recent North Harbour rugby championships final.
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Shore takes honours in soccer derby The trophy awarded for the Northern League Football Lake Rd derby has returned to Devonport. The latest instalment of the QuinnellRichards Cup unfolded on Saturday, 23 July, at Taharoto Park, when North Shore United beat Takapuna AFC 1-0.
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Harry Lissington scored the only goal of the game in the second half. Takapuna took the cup earlier in the season in defeating Shore 3-1 at Allen Hill Stadium. The cup is named for the service to both clubs by Joan and Don Quinnell and broadcaster and administrator Alan Richards.
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Arts / Entertainment Pages
August 5, 2022
WHAT’S ON @
PHOTO CREDIT: JANE USSHER
Takapuna Library
AUTHOR TALK: The Girl in the Mirror Takapuna Library, Level 1 Wednesday, 17th August 2022, 6:00pm to 7:30pm Come and meet author Rose Carlyle and hear about her book, The Girl in the Mirror. She will be interviewed by writer journalist Sonya Wilson. The Girl in the Mirror is an edge-ofyour-seat debut thriller with identical twins, a crazy inheritance and a boat full of secrets! In association with Paperplus, copies of The Girl in the Mirror will be available for purchase and can be signed by the author after the event. Sonya Wilson’s book Spark Hunter will also be available for purchase. Light refreshments served from 6pm, talk starts at 6.30pm. Please register at: https://tinyurl.com/596v8nrm
ART EXHIBITION Shelter in Place, 13 Aug-29 Sep, Angela Morton Room, Level 1 Printmaker Celia Walker will be on-site to discuss the exquisite artists books, zines and prints in her exhibition SHELTER IN PLACE on Saturday 13 August, 2.00-4.00 pm.
In miniature... Celia Walker makes intricate unfolding books
Shore artist lands Venice residency Artist Celia Walker draws on her surroundings to fashion intricate unfolding stories that have won her a print-making residency in Venice in November. But from next week she is displaying her skills closer to home, in an exhibition of her art books at Takapuna Library. Walker, a former co-ordinator for the Devonport peninsula’s Restoring Takarunga Hauraki group, references the environment in much of her work. Her unfolding art books include pages of prints looking at waterways, harbour edges and tree growth. Her focus is on the underlying issues of coastal ecology and climate change. Over the first Covid lockdown, she also homed in on street scenes from her walks, depicting everyday objects such as shopping trolleys and traffic cones. Her Takapuna show includes a mix of new and previously exhibited works, her ‘Walking Distance’ prints having been shown at the Depot Artspace in Devonport
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in late 2020. Local volcanic landscapes are another subject. “As a printmaker who works on paper, it’s good to move away from things behind glass,” she says of the appeal of creating art books. These often-miniature, detailed works are both an opportunity to tell a visual story and to create more intricate pieces. The Devonport resident splits her time between writing and print-making. She has also been learning Italian in readiness for her residency, which she said she applied for after getting itchy feet. She will spend her time at a large print-making studio in central Venice. One of the residency’s conditions is that she leave a work behind, but she also hopes to use the time to produce a book linking New Zealand and Venice in some way. The threat of climate change on places surrounded by ocean is a likely connection. • Shelter in Place by Celia Walker is at the Angela Morton, upstairs at Takapuna Library from 13 August to 29 September.
Notice of Annual General Meeting of the North ShoreTheatre & Arts Trust (The PumpHouse Theatre) Inc. The AGM will be held at 6.30pm on Wednesday 17 August 2022 At French Rendez-vous Cafe, Killarney Park, off Manurere Ave, Takapuna. (Next to The PumpHouse Theatre) Our guest speaker will be Tessa Duder CNZM OBE In addition to the Normal Business of the AGM nominations are invited for Board Members. All enquiries to Peter Burn Chairperson 021 265 9697
WWW.PUMPHOUSE.CO.NZ PH: 486 2385
Arts / Entertainment Pages
August 5, 2022
The Rangitoto Observer Page 15
Takapuna show celebrates China-NZ ties An exhibition running in Takapuna marks 50 years of diplomatic ties between New Zealand and China – along with the 125th anniversary of the birth of New Zealander Rewi Alley, who spent most of his life in China and is still honoured for his work there. The Chinese Arts Exhibition is on at the Bruce Mason Centre until 15 August, featuring 105 works from 82 artists. “Some of these are professionals; some are the students,” says organiser Jim He, the chairman of the Pacific Culture and Arts Exchange Centre. Their ages range from nine to 90. The exhibition has been held 19 times since its launch at the Aotea Centre in 2002 “We provide the platform for the artists to display their talents and their artworks.” He says art is very popular in Chinese communities. With an aging population, classes have been set up to teach older people how to draw and paint to help keep active. He freely admits not being artistic himself, but is an admirer and collector of art. The works in the exhibition include oil paintings, acrylics and sketches. A committee selects the images to go on display. The works include nature scenes, depictions of animals, a painting of Friends duo Joey and Chandler, and pieces paying homage to Alley.
Art of friendship... Exhibition organiser Jim He with some of the art on display including (top) a depiction of Rewi Alley Alley left New Zealand for China in 1927, intending to visit but living there the rest of his life. He organised industrial co-operatives,
founded schools, and travelled the nation writing about life in China in books and poems. He died in 1987, aged 90.
Art group seeks members
A Takapuna group that welcomes anyone with an interest in art is looking for new members. The group, supported by the Takapuna North Community Trust and led by artist Heloisa Barczak, meets every Tuesday afternoon at the Mary Thomas Centre. It has been going about seven years, with a gold-coin donation covering the cost of shared materials. Attendees are mainly older adults and include new migrants, but anyone is welcome to bring their art projects and access advice and ideas. Those passing on skills include a member with an understanding of digital art.
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The Rangitoto Observer Page 16
August 5, 2022
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